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Starting in Gisburn as it is a goog location for loads of us to meet up. Can you suggest two other must do locations for a weekend extravaganza?
I was going to suggest the lakes, but you only need two locations....
Lee Quarry??
Lee and crag quarry!
Forget the man-made places and go for the natural stuff. It'd be a tragedy to travel from afar (an assumption based on the 'road trip' description) and waste it on trail centres which are ok but not a patch on the natural trails that the north has to offer.
Some suggestions (in no particular order)
- Hebden Bridge/Todmorden
- Peak District (either around Hayfield or Ladybower)
- Howgills (Bowderdale is an easy route to follow)
- Lake District (take your pick but I'd recommend the Garburn/Gatescarth/Nan Bield route)
..and that's just scratching the surface.
Where are you actually staying?
I'd say do a quick lap of Gisburn on the Friday night before the pub (should only take about 2 hours) a decent length dales pub to pub ride on the Saturday before the pub, and perhaps head over to the south lakes for a natural Grizedale hangover comedy route on the Sunday.
EDIT: Did I mention that you should probably visit the pub?
If your doing Gisburn I'd follow it up with a dales route,especially if the weathers good
Starting at Gisburn as it is a good meeting spot and it has a pub! Don't care whether the rest is natural or trail centre, just want to have a good trip. Probably going to have a motorhome for a laugh!
Is this a Friday evening to Sunday evening type deal with all day rides Saturday and Sunday?
If so it would have to be South Pennines, something like the Gorple Road route in The Vertebrate Publishing book and then up to the Lakes for the Sunday, either Staveley for ease of access or Keswick to have the option of a big natural loop or Whinlatter depending on weather/hangovers.
If you didn't want to cover as many miles I'd still do South Pennines and something incorporating Lee and Cragg Quarry on the Sunday.
So many options though...
If you're thinking of going to the Dog and Partridge in Tosside on the Friday night, I'd give them a call to make sure they'll be open. Last time I checked, they were only open on Saturday and Sunday. I know it sounds crazy but best to be sure.
Swaledale! Get to Stu and Brens at the Dales Bike Centre, proper off road riding near Reeth.
Dalby forest is worth considering. You haven't mentioned what sort of riding you're after.
Cheers for the ideas, cross country with a light sprinkling of gnarr!